The UK’s #1 favourite Christmas podcast is back for a fifth season of cosiness and calm, hosted by bestselling British author Beth Kempton. Here in Episode ‘Do You Hear What I Hear?’ we begin the new season of the Calm Christmas Podcast in Scotland, with the beautiful words of baker Flora Shedden, owner of Aran Bakery, which perfectly capture what us 'Keepers of Christmas' sense and love about this time of year - the contrast between the cold outdoors and the cosy inside, the warmth we try to bring to our homes, to our communities, the details we notice when we pause long enough to look and listen to what is happening in nature and so on.
We will share a hot cuppa and conversations about ease, joy, endings and new beginnings, and much more including:
·     Gentle planning
·     All about Advent Calendars
·     A little bit of poetry
·     A lot of love for birds
·     A round up of podcast listeners’ favourite Christmas music recommendations
·     Our old favourites – Nature, Wellbeing and Traditions Corners
·     A viral Christmas poem written for you
·     A warming soup recipe courtesy of Flora Shedden
·     Get ahead tips
·     Some lovely goodies for you
With inspiration from @florashedden @aranbakery Jane Struthers, Christopher Winn, Bing Crosby, The Harry Simeone Chorale, Guinness World Records, @alixklingenberg @fogchaser @angelaferrarofanning @jenchillingsworth @rspca_official
Enjoy!
Beth Xx
LINKS TO LOVELY THINGS
· Head to @bethkempton on Instagram for the chance to win our first festive book giveaway of the season, with prizes for you and a friend!
· The Alternative Advent Calendar (free, daily from Dec 1) on Instagram @bethkempton
· Register for the Winter Writing Sanctuary at dowhatyouloveforlife.com for free (runs Dec 29-Jan 4) https://dowhatyouloveforlife.com/product/winter-writing-sanctuary-2025/
· The Greatest Christmas Music Selection Ever at calmchristmas.substack.com
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BOOKS, WEBSITES ETC MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
· Winter in the Highlands by Flora Shedden
· Winter Story by Jill Barklem (with gratitude to the person on Substack Notes who reminded me that the cosy version of my life is very much like a Brambly Hedge mouse)
· The Book of Christmas by Jane Struthers
· The Book of Christmas by Christopher Winn
· Quietly Wildby Alix Klingenberg
· Advent Calendar record on Guinness World Records
· The Holiday (film)
· The Snowman (film)
· Do You Hear What I Hear? (music) – Harry Simeone Chorale version | Bing Crosby version
· A Simple Carolby Matt Evans @FogChaser (music)
· Merlin ID app by Cornell Lab for iPhone | for Android
· RSCPA advice for feeding wild birds https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/wildlife/birds/feeding
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Ingredients for Flora Shedden’s Roasted Squash and Apple Soup recipe (from Winter in the Highlands by Flora Shedden, published by Quadrille)
Note: For the method you can listen to the podcast or find it in Flora’s book Winter in the Highlands(Quadrille) p.16
Serves 4-6
butternut squash (about 900g / 2lb), peeled and deseeded, then cut into 1 cm (1/2 inch) slices
2 eating (dessert) apples (about 250g/9oz), cored and cut into 1 cm (1/2 inch) slices
1 large onion (about 250g/9ox), cut into wedges
4 garlic cloves, peeled bu left whole
45g (1 ½ oz) fresh root ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
45g (1 ½ fl oz/3 tablespoons) apple cider vinegar
10g (1/2 oz) sage leaves
1kg (2lb 4 oz) chicken (or vegetable) stock
Olive oil, for cooking
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Yoghurt, to serve
For the crispy breadcrumb topping
50g (2oz/1 cup) fresh breadcrumbs
50g (2oz/generous ½ cup) pumpkin seeds
10g (1/2 oz) sage leaves, the smaller the better, but if large tear in half
Olive oil, for frying
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